History
The back of First Methodist Episcopal Church is front left in this postcard picture from 1908.
The first church building in McAlester is located in the center of the picture facing downtown.
North and South Methodists held services in South McAlester (present day McAlester) beginning in 1891. The community built a church building at the corner of 1st Street and Grand Avenue. Services were led each week by a different denomination.
An artist's rendering of Mary Phillips Memorial Chapel ca. 1900.
Methodism blosoomed in the McAlester area in 1894 and 1895 when the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the Methodist Episcopal Church, South began Methodist services. One of these was Bowman Methodist Episcopal, later First Methodist Episcopal (2nd & Washington). The other was the Mary Phillips Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church, South (211 W. Grand Ave.). The cornerstone of Grand Avenue ME Church South was laid in 1922, the first Service was held January 6, 1924. In 1925 the two congregations united, anticipating the Methodist Union of 1939. Reverend J.H. Ball, who had shared with others in bringing about this union was the first pastor.
Grand Avenue as it appeared in 1924.
In 1957 the church was modernized with central heat and air conditioning, In 1973 the Sanctuary was renovated and an elevator was added from Epworth Hall to the Sanctuary. The balcony was removed, as were the three sections of fifty-year-old auditorium seats. They were replaced with two rows of padded pews. A drop ceiling with recessed lights changed the shape of the ceiling from flat to curved. Even the organ screen behind the altar was changed. The stained glass windows are the only original feature of the sanctuary.
Grand Avenue Sanctuary as it looked in 1973 prior to remodelling.
Grand Avenue Sanctuary as it looks today.
Additional renovations since '73 have included a new office entry in 1989, a second elevator servicing all four floors in 2003, a remodel of the Youth Floor in 2005, and a complete remodel of the nursery in 2006.
On April 24, 1960, with the guidance of District Superintendent Lee Bowles and financial assistance from the McAlester Distict Board of Missions, Grand Avenue planted a daughter congregation in the neighborhoods of south McAlester at the corner of S. 13th & MacArthur. The congregation came to be known as Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church, named after the founder of Methodism, John Wesley. At annual conference, Bishop Angie Smith appointed A.W. Robinson as the first pastor. A charter membership service was held November 27, 1960 with 46 members. Construction on the church began in May 1961 and the first service in the new building was held February 18, 1962 with Rev. Lee Bowles, District Superintendent and Rev. Elson Hargrove, pastor. Nearly 300 guests attended the open house later that day.
Wesley United Methodist Church, McAlester
In April 2008, the congregation of Grand Avenue began the process of visioning for the future. The need for additional parking, handicap accessibility, and the desire for a family life center (gym) had been considerations for many years. Mounting repairs on the existing facility directed Trustees to consider major renovations. So in April, a series of all-church discussions and surveys were conducted to gauge the congregation's opinions regarding facility needs.
The survey indicated that most members were in favor of pursuing a plan that included demolishing part of the existing structure and building out to the edges of the property. On June 15, 2008 a charge conference was held to vote on the issue. It was decided at that meeting that the Trustees would solicit construction esimates and report back to the congregation.
Artist Rendering of Proposed Addition by T.D. Miller
On September 7, 2008 the Trustees reported that construction estimates for the proposed addition came in at $7.5 million. Due to the enormity of the cost, the Trustees decided that they would investigate alternatives and report back at a later date.
In September conversations were begun with Wesley United Methodist Church over a possible merger and relocation to their property in south McAlester at the southern edge of the Mike Deak ballfields, Will Rogers Elementary, and Putterbaugh Middle School. The church occupies five acres of land with an additional five acres of undeveloped pastureland next door.
Through those conversations it was determined that the membership of Wesley was open to the possibility of merger. It was also determined that the adjoining pastureland was available for purchase. And so on September 28 the members of Grand Avenue were polled regarding their feelings about merger and relocation.
The survey showed that most members polled were in favor of the relocation and new construction idea. So on October 26, 2008 the congregation of Grand Avenue voted, and the resolution to merge with Wesley passed 89-5. Approval was also given to the Trustees to purchase the 5 acres adjacent to Wesley. On October 27, 2008 the congregation of Wesley voted on merger, and the resolution passed 5-0. The merger laid the groundwork for future construction on the Wesley site.
On January 1, 2009, Grand Avenue UMC and Wesley UMC merged to form "The First United Methodist Church of McAlester," a name that harkens back to our shared history. Both buildings were retained for use, with Sunday morning chapel services at the "Wesley Campus" and Sunday school and late worship at the "Grand Avenue Campus."
Pastors of Grand Avenue have included:
R.C. Taylor...........................1922-1924
Harold G. Cooke..................1924-1925
J.H. Ball................................1925-1929
T.R. Morehead....................1929-1930
Ernest C. Webb...................1930-1932
E.A. Reed.............................1932-1934
Dr. John D. Salter...............1934-1936
W.D. Thompson..................1936-1939
Dr. Homer Vanderpool......1939-1943
Dr. Earl S. Walker...............1943-1948
Dr. Guy C. Tetirick.............1948-1951
Paul H. Tripp.......................1951-1954 Wesley Pastors have included:
Dr. W. Carl Clement...........1954-1956 A.W. Robinson............................1960
Dr. Charles E. Simpson......1956-1960 Elson Hargrove................1961-1962
Littleton Fowler..................1960-1964 Clayton O. Hughes..........1962-1966
Richard E. Gibbens.............1964-1966 Harold E. Himes..............1966-
Dr. R.L. Willingham............1966-1971 Paul Longstreth.......................-1973
Rev. Carl Friend Assoc. Minister Thomas J. Richichi..........1973-1975
Dr. Howard Davis..............1971-1973 Franklin E. George.........1975-1977
John B. Welch.....................1973-1978 Rex B. Wilkes..................1977-1979
LeRoy Sewell.......................1978-1981 Luke Storey.....................1979-1988
Merle Pulver.......................1982-1984 Terry W. Fox...................1988-1991
Richard "Dick" House........1984-1990 David L. Sanders.............1991-1998
Burrell McNaught..............1990-1993 Lauren K. Shock..............1998-2001
Phillip Ware........................1993-2000 Marcus K. Barnett.........2001-2006
Dr. David Cressman..........2000-2007 Wendi Neal......................2006-2007
Dr. Charles Neff.................2007-2008 Lisa Anderson................2007-2008
Pastors of First UMC McAlester:
Dr. Charles Neff.................2009- Ruth Atterberry, Assoc...2009-
